The economic impact appears to be spreading beyond Bobcat's payroll. In the past, company officials have considered consolidating plants, which now seems to be reality.

(WDAY TV) - The trouble facing the struggling Bobcat Company seems to keep getting worse. Now, unconfirmed reports say the company is shutting down its Bismarck plant. WDAY 6 Reporter Travis Skonseng has our top story.

The economic impact appears to be spreading beyond Bobcat's payroll. In the past, company officials have considered consolidating plants, which now seems to be reality.

We called several plants today, only to be told they would not comment on the issue. We were transferred to the West Fargo building. Officials there are refusing to go on camera, but tell WDAY the company is considering all its options right now.

That includes closing the Bismarck plant and moving operations to Gwinner. About six hundred workers would be affected. Bobcat won't confirm or deny its shutting down that plant.

"I just told them we have a job to do unless somebody tells us otherwise and that is all we can do keep working until they shut the doors we are not going to change our attitudes we are going to keep going. At this point it is an unfounded rumor that has not been substantiated and is really just caused of course a lot of concern and panic in our community."

In eight months, Bobcat has seen decreased sales, shut down operations for awhile this summer, and laid off about six hundred workers. Two thousand more were laid off for two months.